The Friends of Buttonwood Park
The steps leading up to the devel-
opment of a Master Plan for the
Nature Trails—with cost esti-
mates and project goals—will be a
team process, according to Boston
Landscape Architect, Ray Dunetz,
guest speaker at the 29th Annual
Meeting held at the Lawler Library
in May.
Mr. Dunetz and City Arborist,
Chance Perks, will look over the
existing trees, (city will handle the
survey) and work with the Conser-
vation Commission. LEC Environ-
mental Consultants will rid the
area of invasive plants. A site analysis will determine how people walk around
the park and the location of scenic views, wetlands, and the placement of raised
pedestrian walkways and picnic areas.
There will be time for input and inspirational ideas to help reclaim 18 addi-
tional acres of parkland as useable space and a nature lover’s dream.
For more information on this project,
follow us on Facebook or email [email protected]
You can also visit our website buttonwoodpark.org or drop us a line at
P. O. Box 2011, New Bedford MA 02741 to make a donation.
THE BUTTONWOOD MESSENGER Summer 2015
Protect, Preserve, and Renew in the Spirit of Frederick Law Olmsted N A T U R E T R A I L S P R E S E N TA T I O N E N E R G I Z E S F R I E N D S A T A N N UA L M E E T I N G
Landscape Architect, Ray Dunetz,
and moderator, Jean Bennett, Address
Friends and Park Neighbors
“The Nature Trails Project—the next phase of our ‘Buttonwood on the Move’
campaign to encourage exercise and promote well being in young and old
alike—will not happen overnight…but together we can get it done!
You are the reason we have such a wonderful Park…together we have
worked small and big miracles.”
—President Anne Eades
INSIDE
THIS ISSUE
Youth Corp Helps
Clear Way for Nature
Trails………………... 2
Five New Tree
Plantings……………. 2
Buffer Garden – A
Labor of Love………. 3
City Youth Clean Up
Park Gardens………. 3
Fountain is Relocated to the Dell………….. 3
Lorraine Perry Receives
President’s Award….. 3
Free Movie at Button-wood Park………….. 4
Bread Is Harmful to
Wildfowl…………….. 4
Board of Directors…. 4
Mission Statement….. 4
A group of young people, ages 16-19, from The Trustees of
Reservations South Coast Youth Corp, are helping to clear the
abandoned Tree Farm property on Oneida Street of bittersweet,
knotweed, and other invasive plants that threaten to choke the
life out of the existing trees. We are so grateful for their hard
work as we kick off the 1st phase of our trails project.
Linton Harrington,
the South Coast
Outreach and Edu-
cation Coordina-
tor, says the pro-
gram incorporates
academic work and practical work skills that benefit local com-
munities. At our Annual Meeting, Mr. Harrington noted that The
Trustees of Reservations was founded by Charles Eliot, of
Olmsted, Olmsted, and Eliot, who designed Buttonwood Park.
If you are able to lend a hand to this or any of the maintenance projects in the Park, contact Ray Castino,
Maintenance/Conservation Committee chairman, at [email protected]
Page 2
T R U S T E E S O F R E S E R V A T I O N S Y O U T H C O R P H E L P S C L E A R W A Y F O R N A T U R E T R A I L S
F R I E N D S R E P L A C E T R E E S C U T D O W N I N C O N S T R U C T I O N O F N E W B A S K E T B A L L C O U R T S
A total of five new trees have been planted in the area of the
basketball courts, diminishing light pollution and bringing
shade and scenic beauty to the landscape—3 Northern Red
Oaks (Quercus rubra) to the east and 2 ‘Greenspire’ Little-
leaf Linden (Tilia cordata) to the south. They replace trees
cut down during the construction of the new courts last year.
A few of those trees were showing signs of disease.
The native Northern Red Oak adapts so well to urban
settings that it has been called a ‘national treasure.’ It can
reach a height of 60 feet and has a spread of 45 feet at
maturity, making it a great shade tree. Enjoy it in the fall as
it puts on a show of brilliant colors from russet red to a bright red.
‘Greenspire’ Littleleaf Linden is a source of beauty in natural settings with its pyramidal shape and small,
fragrant, yellow flowers that bloom in summer. It grows to 50-60 feet and, with its dense canopy and a spread
of 40-50 feet, also provides abundant shade.
Planting 3 Northern Red Oaks East of Courts
All trees were funded through the Friends’ Commemorative Tree Program.
Memorial trees are a special way to remember a loved one or to honor an important someone in your life.
For more information, please contact Thelma Baxter at [email protected]
Youth Corp at Old Tree Farm
Page 3
Buttonwood Brook Buffer Garden
in all its summer glory
Lorraine Perry, longtime board member and ‘gardener extraordinaire,’
was recognized at the Friends’ Annual Meeting in May for her years of
dedication and service beautifying Buttonwood Park.
Anne Eades presented her with the President’s ‘Green Thumb Award.’
Congratulations, Lorraine. It’s a well-deserved honor! Lorraine, left, with Anne Eades
B U T T O N W O O D B R O O K B U F F E R G A R D E N I S A N O N G O I N G L A B O R O F L O V E
Board members, Ray Castino, Thelma Baxter, and Lorraine
Perry, with Friends’ member, Maureen Fanning, have all done a
tremendous job weeding the Buffer Garden this season.
Have you stopped by recently to enjoy this lovely, tranquil spot
that you helped create? It’s hard to believe that 6 years ago this
area, located just west of the greenhouse, was once an inaccessible
wilderness of brush, weeds, and invasive species.
Please consider volunteering or making a donation for the upkeep
of the Buffer Garden and numerous ‘pocket gardens’ in the Park.
Your support is needed to fulfill our mission of stewardship!
Thank you!
A young work crew
from the City with
supervisor, Jess
Brigoli, helped Ray
Castino and Friends
clean up the Lilac
Garden in prepara-
tion for mulching and edging. They will also be
working in other areas of the Park this summer.
We are grateful to
our friends at the
Department of Pub-
lic Infrastructure for
moving the fountain
back to its home in
the Dell.
Future plantings
will restore this
lovely area as a
favorite spot for
taking pictures.
The Friends of Buttonwood Park is an all-volunteer 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization established in 1986
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Anne Eades
President
Ray Castino
Vice-President
Sharon Pinho
Recording Secretary
Laura McLeod
Treasurer
Lydia King
Corresponding Secretary
Sus a n B ar ne t
T he l ma B ax te r
J a me s B e a ureg a r d
J e a n B e nne t t
Sy lv i a D a ley
Fr a nk F ar r e l l
Lo u i s Ga r i bal di
Sus a n G r a ce
A ndre a H a r r i s o n
G er ry K a v a na ug h
Ri c ha r d L e a ry
Di a nne L og a n
She r ry M cTig ue
F l or e nc e N o v ic k
Lo r r ai ne Pe r ry
Al i c i a P i me nt a l
G R E A T P A R K S M A K E G R E A T C I T I E S M I S S I O N S T A T E M E N T
It is the mission of The Friends of Buttonwood
Park to serve as stewards of the park. In this ca-
pacity, we will protect and enhance Buttonwood
Park in the spirit of Frederick Law Olmsted.
Here the New Bedford community may find pre-
mier horticultural and zoological displays and en-
joy both passive and active recreation, relaxation,
and escape from the stresses of urban life.
SAVE THE DATE!
Did you miss the first two show-
ings of ‘Pictures in the Park’?
You’ll have another opportunity
on Friday, September 11th, when
‘Back to the Future’ will be
shown at 7:00 P. M.
Bring a lawn chair or blanket and
enjoy the FREE movie in a lovely
outdoor setting. Young and old enjoy the movie on a
beautiful summer evening
For more information go to:
https://www.facebook.com/ButtonwoodMovies